PORTLAND — Forty years ago, Portland native Robert M. Gregg got fed up with hard sticks of butter and came up with an easier way to add flavor to his toast. His soybean invention, Gold-n-Soft margarine, became a staple on Northwest grocery store shelves.

What’s in the tub is still made in Northeast Portland. When the conveyor belts are switched on at 5:30 a.m., five employees work to produce about 50,000 pounds of margarine a day or 200 million pounds a month. That’s about 1.3 billion pounds of margarine each year.

Not much has changed at the site since the 1960s, as plant controller John Tesler can attest. He should know, as he’s been involved with the production of Gold-n-Soft since ‘68. He says the popular one-pound tub is ideal for taking the spread from refrigerator to the table without dirtying an extra plate.

Herb Sigler, vice president of marketing at Ventura Foods, owner of the Gold-n-Soft label, says that staying with what works has been the key to consumer loyalty. “We’ve had a love affair with the folks in the Northwest for four decades now.” — Colleen Moran

Comments

have moved from the Vancouver,WA area to Phoenix,Az area , does anyone know where I can buy gold-n-soft margarine? I called the company and they said " take the code number to the store and they will order for you" No they won't. Walmart does not sell it anymore and no one knows why. Thank-You

I used to buy Gold n soft with the name Gregg on it....awesome stuff. Now I can only find the "new" stuff...without the Gregg name on it. I HATE it. When used for frying, it seperates, yuck. Can I still buy the "original". answer to Bev Lyons, I dont know if they have a smart and final store, but that is where I used to buy it. Safeway/ Vons also carries it.

Yes, you have to use the Gold 'n Soft REGULAR/ORIGINAL. The LIGHT stuff separates out into water. Yuck. The LIGHT doesn't taste good either. The REGULAR/ORIGINAL is the same, works great for frying and baking. To me, the LIGHT is only good for throwing away in the garbage. Safeway has it on sale for .99¢ a lot of the time. I buy it thirty one pound tubs (that are only 15oz now) at a time, since it will keep in the icebox for eight months and in the freezer for a year. http://www.goldnsoft.com/faq.aspx

I went to smart and final, and all they have is the spread with the cookie picture on it, and it is the light stuff that is worthless for cooking, where can I buy the big yellow 5lb tub that is, "Ideal for Cooking?"

i have been buying your butter for years and the last 45oz container i bought was not what i expected,this butter was like whipped and not creamie,if this is your product from now on i will have to change products

I live in Northern California and and I can't find where they sale Greggs Golden Soft Margarine anymore. Does anyone out there know where I can buy this? I don't like the brand called Golden Soft Margarine it's not the same.

I lived in the NW for many years, used GoldNSoft... Now live in the PHX area of AZ and for 5 years have purchased in BIG tubes from Costco...All of the sudden, can't find it at Costco Sam's, Walmart, Safeway, Bashas, etc.What is going on????

I lived in the NW for many years, used GoldNSoft... Now live in the PHX area of AZ and for 5 years have purchased in BIG tubes from Costco...All of the sudden, can't find it at Costco Sam's, Walmart, Safeway, Bashas, etc.What is going on????

Who decided that we couldn't purchase the big tubs of margarine any more? Up until a few months ago, I always bought the big tubs and all of a sudden they aren't to be found any where. I live in eastern Washington, and I would like to know where I can purchase this item..... what store, outlet, on-line? I don't care how, but I sure would like to find it

I was in Safeway in Oregon, the other day, and I was going to pick up a couple of 1 lb. tubs, as I usually do once a week. They were no longer on the shelf, let alone a spot for them. They still had the larger lite spread, that I will not use. Can you tell me if they are no longer carrying it? I went to Bi Mart and bought the last 3 they had for a dollar more per tub.

I have used the original margarine for years then the company stopped making it in the large tubs and only had the 1# tub but at least they still made it. Now I find out they've stopped and have "new" products. These products now contain polysorbate (a preservative) that my husband is allergic to. This was why we always bought the original product...NO polysorbate!

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